Manuela Camiño Riadigos
Manuela Camiño Riadigos of Kearny, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, died March 30, 2021.
She was 87.
Manola, as she was called by those closest to her, was born Sept. 12, 1933, in A Coruña, Spain.
A proud Galician, Manola was the daughter of a fisherman and a homemaker. She was one of four siblings, who she loved immensely and remembered all throughout her life. Manola had a pure zest for life and lived a wonderful and happy childhood with her family. She loved to dance, sing and perform, and passed this love on to her granddaughter.
In 1959, she married her husband of 61 years and the love of her life, Jose Riadigos. In 1961, after the birth of their daughter Maria José, they took a leap of faith and left their home and loved ones in Spain to move to Neuchâtel, Switzerland, where they lived a joyful six years with dear friends, raising their daughter while nestled in the beauty of the Swiss countryside.
In 1967, they fulfilled their dream of moving to the United States of America and joined Manola’s sister, Carmen, brother-in-law, Jaime, and niece, Carmen, in Newark. For 22 years, Manola worked as a seamstress and enjoyed countless happy and joyful times with friends who turned into family in Newark and later Kearny.
A lover of the Christmas season, she hosted countless holiday gatherings and parties in her home over the years for friends and family. Manola found joy in what many consider to be simple things – a casual visit to Macy’s with her daughter and granddaughter was one of her favorite ways to spend a Saturday. She lived in the moment and learned how to enjoy daily experiences others take for granted. It is hard to enjoy every moment of life in such a fast-paced world, but somehow, Manola effortlessly found joy in life’s simplicity.
In 1989, Manola retired to care for her newborn granddaughter, and helped to raise both her and her grandson, who was born in 1992. She passed the gift of the Spanish language on to her grandchildren, and spent countless hours teaching them, caring for them, and most importantly, sharing her memories with them. Manola constantly reminded those she loved most to enjoy every moment of life – “¡Disfruta!” – she would say. It means just that, to enjoy.
Manola is survived by her beloved husband, Jose Riadigos, daughter and son-in-law Maria and Mark Sheptock, granddaughter and grandson-in-law Suzanne and Matt Gregory and grandson Mark Sheptock and fiancé Amy Quach.
Visitation was at the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home in Kearny. A memorial service and burial will take place April 9 at Good Shepherd Cemetery in Huntington Beach, California, so that Manola can always be close to her beloved family.
Manola was a cancer survivor and loved children – so in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in her memory.
Most importantly, remember to enjoy life. “¡Disfruta!”
Marc Augustine Prezioso
Marc Augustine Prezioso, of Columbia, Pennsylvania, died April 7, 2020.
He was 28.
Born in Belleville, Marc lived in Kearny until moving to Pennsylvania five years ago.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated April 10, 2021 at St. Stephen’s Church, Kearny. Burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington.
Marc leaves behind his most cherished gift, his beloved son, Oliver Ray Prezioso, age 3, who was the brightest light in his life.
Marc is also survived by his father, John Prezioso; his mother, Diane Rio; his brother, Ryan Smith (Surrayla); his grandmother, Lorraine Manfredonia; his grandfather, Raymond Rio (the late Barbara Rio); Oliver’s mother, Laura Mesher; and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Marc was proud of the work he did at Blueprints for Addiction Recovery, helping others on their path to sobriety. He enjoyed skateboarding, video games and had a smile that could light up a room. He loved his family and friends, and we will miss him dearly and keep him in our hearts forever.
Anna Catherine Fitzpatrick
Anna Catherine Fitzpatrick (nee Walsh), 80, of Fairfield, formerly of Kearny, died Monday, March 29, 2021.
She emigrated from Sligo, Ireland, in 1958 to come to the United States.
The beloved wife of the late John J. Fitzpatrick, she was the loving mother of Mary Ellen and her husband Roger Ludwig, Sean and his wife Maryann Fitzpatrick, Patricia and her husband Edward Kennedy and the late Baby John Fitzpatrick. The cherished grandmother of Sean S., Conor, Suzanna, Aidan, Katelyn, Colin, Logan, Ryan and the late Dylan, she was the dear sister of John Walsh, Maura Walsh, Agnes Smith, Margaret Shier and Pakie Joe Walsh.
Mrs. Fitzpatrick was a trustee for the Frank McGovern Association and the Woman of Irish Heritage. She was a member of the Cryan Association. Anna was on the Newark Parade Committee and was the Deputy Grand Marshall in 1997 and the 2001 Deputy of the Nutley St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Her funeral takes place Thursday, April 8, at 9 a.m., from the Ippolito-Stellato Funeral Home, 7 Two Bridges Road, Fairfield. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, April 8, at 10 a.m., at St. Thomas More Church. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.
Friends will be received Wednesday, April 7, from 4 to 8 p.m.
Donations may be made to the Valerie Fund, 210 Millburn Avenue, No. 3719, Maplewood N.J. 07040. Leave condolences at www.stellatofuneralhomes.com.
Charles F. Pruden
Charles F. Pruden of Rio Grande died March 29, 2021.
He was 74.
Arrangements are by the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, Kearny. A prayer service took place April 5 in Arlington Cemetery, Kearny.
Charles was one of seven children. He was predeceased by both of his parents and his beloved wife Mamie of 20 plus years. He is survived by his children Charles Franklin Pruden III (of Florida) and Jennifer Pruden-Mendelowski (Marian). Also, he leaves behind his two granddaughters Gabriella and Alina along with his cousin and best friend Richard Zulla , numerous siblings and nieces and nephews.
Sheila McGarril Gray
Sheila McGarril Gray of Kearny died peacefully at home March 30, 2021.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation for Sheila at the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny, on Tuesday, April 6 from 3-7 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Cecilia’s Church in Kearny on Wednesday. April 7, at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.
Sheila worked for Prudential Bindery in New Providence, retiring in 1982.
She was predeceased by her husband John.
Sheila is survived by her seven children John (Donna) of Martinsville, Frederick (Joan) of Herndon, Va., Judith Dignazio (Tom) of Whiting, Patricia Rusek (Mickey) of Kearny, Michael (Diane) of Kearny, Sheila Dlugosh (Carl) of Kearny and Kevin (Lisa) of Haddon Heights. She was the dear grandmother of 24 and adoring great-grandmother of 24. She was predeceased by two grandchildren Jeffrey Rusek and State Trooper Lindsay Gray, and one great-grandson Sean Joseph Rodia.
Sheila is also survived by her sister Frances Gillespie and brother-in-law Bill O’Dea.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the National Brain Tumor Association, or to the Franciscan Friars.
Elizabeth Ann Munoz
Elizabeth (Bambi) Ann Munoz (nee Hansen) formerly of Jersey City died suddenly on March 20, 2021.
She was 59.
Elizabeth worked at RWJ Medical Center, New Brunswick, for several years.
She is survived by her two children, Megan Demnicki and Rocky Murray; her mother Elizabeth Davin-Miele and her husband John Miele; three sisters Maureen Malinowski, Kathleen Severino and Dana Hansen; three brothers Bryan Hansen and Thomas and Aaron Kalisak; two grandchildren Aiden and Jaye Demnicki and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated Thursday, April 15, at 10 a.m. at St. Stephens Church, Kearny. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.
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Kevin A. Canessa Jr. is the editor of and broadcaster at The Observer, an organization he has served since 2006. He is responsible for the editorial content of the newspaper and website, the production of the e-Newspaper, writing several stories per week (including the weekly editorial), conducting live broadcasts on social media channels such as YouTube, Facebook, and X, including a weekly recap of the news — and much more behind the scenes. Between 2006 and 2008, he introduced the newspaper to its first-ever blog — which included podcasts, audio and video. Originally from Jersey City, Kevin lived in Kearny until 2004, lived in Port St. Lucie. Florida, for four years until February 2016 and in March of that year, he moved back to Kearny to return to The Observer full time. Click Here to send Kevin an email.